Encouragement

Encourage: To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten. To give support to; foster. To stimulate.

This is the definition from my old dictionary, actually it was my husband's dictionary from college, but that's beside the point.

I love looking up words and seeing their true meanings. I like that this word basically means to give courage to another person. To help them to boldly step out and go where no man has gone before, or at least to encourage them not to eat another 2 lb. bag of M&M's. (who me, I would never do such a thing)

I was reading this morning and came across this little blip.

"All of us need encouragement-somebody to believe in us. To reassure and reinforce us. To help us pick up the pieces and go on. To provide us with increased determination in spite of the odds.

When you stop to analyze the concept, "encourage" takes on new meaning. It's the act of inspiring others with renewed courage, spirit, hope.

The beautiful part about encouragement is this: Anybody can do it. "

Strengthening Your Grip by Charles Swindoll

So today, I want to encourage you my friends. Go out there and go boldly. Stick to what you've begun or start again, if needed. Look back over your list of goals you've written down and have desired to achieve and begin today to achieve them. Jump back on your exercise or diet plan, it doesn't matter that you ate 10 lbs. of food at the 4th of July BBQ. Today is a new day, a new week. You can do it and so can I. Call your girlfriend and head out for a walk. Take your kids to the park and swing with them or go to the pool and do a few laps. Eat fruit. Watermelon is everywhere. And while you're out there, encourage those around you. It feels good!!

Have a wonderful, blissful, productive day!!!

Carrots of Courage

A Good Day!

Yesterday was a good day!

1. I took my boys to go visit their friends for the week, they'll come back Friday. Their leaving isn't what makes it good, I just enjoyed the 2 hour drive with them, they're really funny and I am happy they get to go hang out with good friends, they need that.

2. I went to the library for a presentation by a friend of mine on How to Illustrate A Children's Book. It was awesome and inspiring and reminded me that I truly desire to achieve that in my lifetime. Tim Raglin is the author/illustrator of several books, including one of my faves... Uncle Mugsy and the Terrible Twins of Christmas. His illustrations are phenomenal. You can check him out at timraglin.com. He rocks!

3. I got to go hang out with my friend Jackie, who is also rather inspiring and is always working on some amazing art project. She is the one with the fantastic blocks. I love them and she has designed a new set. We had a great time chatting, oh and she's the one who made the supremely, divine chocolate cake....yum, yum!

4. I came home and got to hang out with my daughter and chat with her about various happenings in our day and wedding plans for the future. It was lovely to spend time with her, these days it's a rare treat. I thoroughly enjoy her company and miss the days of her reading to me, while I knit some random item. Each moment with her is cherished.

5. And lastly, Marie called me. We haven't had time to chat lately, so it was a wonderful surprise to see her number pop up on my caller i.d. yay! As always, she makes me laugh and encourages me in everything. Friends are a true blessing. What would we do without them??

Hope you have a truly inspired and lovely day!

Carrots with a cherry on top!!

Cat Tales

This is Foo Foo Kitty. He is our indoor/outdoor cat, sometimes he can't make up his mind where he wants to be. We raised him from a wee kitty, even bottle fed him every few hours. We love him to pieces, even though he is fairly odd. My daughter and I have a theory about him. We're pretty certain, he was meandering through the woods one day (in human form) and happened upon a grumpy witch, who then cursed him and turned him into a cat, until by some off chance we can come up with the right words to say to turn him back. We believe he does the odd things he does, because he is desperately trying to communicate with us and give us some sort of sign.

He does a lot of non-catlike things and many human type things. He's klutzy, misses furniture entirely when jumping for it, he plays the piano, loves to go swimming......in fact, he loves water.

He will stand in the sink while I'm trying to do dishes, sit in the shower while we're in it and he plays with his water. He has a water dish, which we try to keep filled, but that never seems to be what he wants. He prefers water straight from the tap. He knows how to push the button on the Culligan machine and he gets up on the sink for a drink. In the mornings, while my hub gets ready for work, Foo Foo keeps him company and my hub puts a bit of water in the bathroom sink for him. Last night my daughter came home and saw the cat drinking out of the toilet. She thought that was gross, so she put a bit of water in the sink and came in to say hello. Apparently, he's been paying attention....while she was out of the room, Foo Foo decided just one sink wasn't enough, so he figured out how to turn on all of the faucets....FULL BLAST!! In a matter of minutes, that adds up to a very large amount of water. When she returned to brush her teeth, the bathroom had become Niagara Falls. We have three drawers. The first one filled with water, then overflowed into the next, then the next one. There was about an inch of water on the floor. Every towel in the house had to be used to mop it all up. And the cat, nowhere to be found, he magically disappeared for the evening. I did see him once today, but I think he's feeling a bit guilty or maybe he thinks it's really funny and doesn't want me to see him laughing.

The moral to my story:

Don't let your cat see you turn on the faucet, he's smarter than you think!

A Glimpse

Where have I been all these weeks, you might be asking. Busy, busy, busy! I hate to say it, but when I get that busy, all things fall to the wayside. Including, my exercise and watching what I eat. Oh woe is me. Tis a sad, sad thing. I've talked to Marie, who as you may know, is rather encouraging and came to the realization that it's okay and I can start blogging again, and my absence will be forgiven.
My apologies, I hate to let anyone down or disappoint, and I fear my lack of diet and exercise has added a couple of pounds to my mid-section. When I say, woe is me, I really mean WHOA!!! Especially, every time I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror. There is far more of me than I want to see. So, dearies....it's time to get back on track, or I simply won't be able to live with myself. I exercised this morning and I intend to really pay attention to all that enters my mouth, no more darn Jalapeno Cheetos, (I'm pretty sure they have 5 million calories) no more chocolate chip cookies, more water and less diet soda. I didn't post my current weight, humiliations galore...I hope you'll forgive me. How about I work hard this week, and I will for sure post my weight, next Monday. :)
As for, where have I been....my husband and a couple of friends of ours are getting ready to open a Youth Coffeehouse/Venue, everyday has been a whirlwind, mostly in paint for me. The pictures I posted are of a couple of the walls we painted. The walls are 14 feet high, so they take time and you'd think all the up and down on the ladder would've been good exercise, but a bad diet didn't help. Busyness is truly a deterrent for getting in shape. I tend to allow everything else to become more important. No more, I say. The time has come!
My apologies for my extreme absence,
Have a most pleasant day!!

Chunks of Carrots

There's No Place Like Home

Hello Dearies,
Wow, I must say, it seems as though it's been simply forever since
my last blog.
The trip was rather enjoyable, as well as, ultra relaxing. I had
a blast with all of my siblings and we spent most of our time laughing.
A good way to spend time, if you ask me. I wonder how many calories that
burns. Probably not enough to make up for all of the good food we ate. :(
Each of my siblings are great cooks, we had Mexican food one night....divine,
my brother made us the most amazing pasta another night. (He pureed all the
chunks for me, and OOOOH, it was fantastico!!) I have to give that a try.
Speaking of trying, I did manage a couple of bites of asparagus....of all
things, funny eh? It wasn't half bad. It tasted a bit like a big green
bean, or maybe it was the Jolly Green Giant, something like that.
I am tempted to buy some and give it a wee bit of attention. I hear it's
good for you, too!
I have to apologize, I don't have trip pictures to post just yet. I am in the
process of trying to figure out what in the hoobydoo I did with my cord
(you know the one that connects camera to computer). Somehow it has
grown legs and run away. Maybe it went to Oz too! I promise to post a few, a.s.a.p.
Although everything about my trip was amazing and spectacular. I am
quite excited to be back home. I missed my family, going for walks and
weirdly, just the daily routine of my life. Absence truly makes the heart
grow fonder. Seriously, there's no place like home!!
Time for my evening walk, it's getting rather dark, I may just be circling my driveway a few times. Poop! My moment of opportunity has passed me by.

Can't wait to share pictures with you.
Have a splendid evening! I've missed you, my dearies.

Click your heels together and say....
There's No Place Like Home
There's No Place Like Home
There's No Place Like Home

Ruby Red Carrots

Go Bananas!

Bananas!! A recent study has shown that
bananas have quite a bit of health benefits.
Some of the health issues eating a banana or two can help with:
Depression
P.M.S.
Anemia
Blood Pressure
Brain Power
Constipation
Hang Overs
Heartburn
Morning Sickness
Nerves
Overweight
and that is just to name a few. There are more! With so many health
benefits, I think we should all go a little bananas. If like me,
you're not too keen on peeling a banana and sticking it in your mouth,
due to funky texture issues, you can turn it into a fabulous smoothie.

This is a recipe shared with me by Marie.
I've altered it a bit and I also add Kale for green benefits,
since salads are out of the question.
I call this little concoction

Green Chunky Monkey's
(it's more interesting for the kids)

1-2 bananas (depending on how much you want to make)
ice, ice baby (a few cubes)
frozen strawberries (about 5-6)
1/4-1/2 cup of water
a couple of stalks of kale, broken off the whole bunch
1/2 tsp. of coconut flavoring (adds yummy)

Put the water in your blender, then the ice and crush or grind, whatever works for you. Add the strawberries, and crush again until fairly smoothish. Add in the Kale, until nice and smooth, then toss in the coconut. Now add the banana, this will actually hide the Kale flavor and make the smoothie more creamy..(yum).
Pour in a glass and your ready for a good, healthy breakfast or treat!

Other add ins: orange juice (instead of water), yogurt for more creaminess, other flavorings that you prefer and of course other fruits. Play with it and have fun!
Have a healthy, happy and wonderful day!

Red Chunky Carrots (soon to be sleek and slim)

Progress

I thought I would show you what progress looks like.
This is it, my birthday present to me. It's a bit slow in the
workings, but I am getting there. I have only to make the triangle
parts of the stars, put those blocks together, add a border and off
to the quilt guy. Woohoo! I could quite possibly have that
beauty lying on my bed by mid June. Of course, the Americana quilt that is there now, will have to come back out for the month of July.
I love coming to the end of a project and it's even more exciting to know that
I will get to enjoy the fruits of my labor. yippee and hip hip hooray!!

Quilted Carrots

I'm In Love With John

Deere that is!
Would it be wrong if I put on a polka-dotted bikini and laid on the hood of my mower? Don't worry dearies, I won't do it, I don't want to be responsible for you needing therapy. Although someday, I may show up in an issue of Tractor Babes! (you never know)

As the rain stopped for an entire day, the grass dried a wee bit, John and
I set out on our long awaited date. He was a perfect gentlemen. In and out of the trees we frolicked and he was always smooth and on the cutting edge. He even hummed quietly while I talked on the phone. How wonderful it was to spend time together finally, oh the sweet memory of it. Alas, our time was cut short. The rain began again and although I was perfectly happy to be in the rain, he said, "No, my dear, I don't want you to catch cold." He sweetly kissed my cheeks (wink) and we said farewell.
Til next time, my love!

My River Overfloweth

When your river overflows, here are a few fun things you can do.

1. Seize the day, go take pictures, this doesn't happen everyday.
2. Take a break from your normally scheduled routine and go throw or skip rocks on the water.
3. Play a game of Poohsticks with your children, when was the last time you did that?
4. Put on your Wellies and puddle jump.
5. Take a walk down the road, and be amazed at the field, that is now a lake.
6. Enjoy the day, no matter what you do. Rejoice and be glad!

Happy As A Lark

On Saturday, I got outside and push mowed my little heart out. It was nice to look around and see that I'd accomplished something. Whew, it is work though, our push mower is a little choppy, so it doesn't do the greatest job and the lack of height makes pushing it around a bit tricky. (you know, leverage and all that)
My husband had gone to town, in search of a riding mower to purchase. About 4 hours later he showed up with the most awesome mower. It's like the Porsche of riding mowers. I was beyond ecstatic!! It has gizmo's and gadgets all over the place, lots of buttons, it might take me a few tries to figure out what they all do. Cruise control, can you believe it, a mower with cruise control and a cup holder. How fancy is that? I immediately shoved aside the push mower, hopped on that baby and gave it a whirl. It purrs like a kitten and mows like a dream. I mowed our large field in no time, with a constant smile plastered on my face. Ahhh, heaven. It's a beautiful thing!! If you've never taken a plush riding mower for a spin, I highly recommend it. You'll be hooked (okay maybe it's just me) but it is somewhat satisfying, to look back at your nicely mowed lawn and know that it will stay that way, for at least a few days.
It has rained almost constantly since that exhilarating ride, so I am anxiously anticipating the moment when girl and mower can reunite. Happy, happy!

Carrots on Wheels

Today Is a New Day!

Brand spankin' new, with no mistakes in it, yet!! :)

Well, yesterday I fell off the wagon, and it was only Tuesday, what the hoobydoo? I ate chocolate eggs, that I put in a dish on the table, thinking they'd get eaten faster if they were out in the open...well that worked, they got eaten alright...by me!!!! :O How is it, every chocolate thing, knows my name? This really is a weakness for me....can you tell?

I also had two cups of coffee, which I guess is not terrible, although it goes against my Weekly Challenge.

Today is a new day, I will do better, no chocolate, one cup of coffee (already behind me) and lots of water and healthy foods. I am beginning to work on a menu of healthy meals for picky eaters. It's coming along slowly and I think I need to browse the internet a bit more and see if I can find some good recipes. Even if I have to change them a bit more to my liking. I really need to eat healthier, but it's hard when there isn't much in the way of fruits and veggies that I love.

If you have any suggestions, I am wide open!

Thanks!

Hope today is a success for you, too!

Carrots, Cupcakes and Exercise

Today's post is going to be short, sweet and to the point. Like me...hahaha!

No seriously! My hub is downloading some sort of something and it's causing our computer to run at a snail's pace. OOBER SLOW!! I'm sure you'll forgive the quickie, I hope. :D


Yesterday I posted a couple of pictures, one of super carrots, made in a seriously cute fabric and another of fabric cupcakes. So sweet! I wanted to let you know where you can find the ladies that made these stinkin' lovely goodies. I want to give credit, where credit is due.
I love the crafty, creativeness of the internet artists. I have found some amazing blogs (now that I have faster internet..hahaha) and it is so awesome to see the beauty that so many create.

Anyway, back on track. The carrots were made by mama anna, the link is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81808599@N00/ mama_anna

She is obviously quite busy. Holy cow, lots of cute, fun, crafty items, and not limited to fabric. She has an entire woolly album, too. I didn't take time to do the slide show, although when I can surf a bit faster, I definitely intend to go back.

The sweet cupcakes are from Little Cotton Rabbits blog. She has the cutest, most amazing knitted goodness. I absolutely love looking at those sweet rabbits. (I have a bit of a rabbit fetish)I encourage you to take a look at her site, as well. Here is the link:http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/my_weblog/

I'm done gushing over the cuteness that people are creating all over the world.

Onto exercise, hooray!
For those of us who feel we don't really have time for exercise, there are awesome workout videos/dvd's, called, 10 Minute Solutions. Holy moly, there is something for everyone. I have only tried out the Target Toning for Beginners, but it's fantastic and I'm ready to move on to the next level. I love that it's in 10 minute chunks. If I have more time, energy and motivation then I can do two workouts, in 20 minutes. such as: buns and thighs, or arms and abs. Which is generally what I try to do. If your like me and you get bored fairly quickly and want something different, then these are a great source. I found an awesome website full of these workouts and they're not too pricey either. Here is a link:
http://www.fitnessfly.com/10_Minute_Solutions_DVDs_s/75.htm
Check it out! There's info. about every one of the workouts. Awesome.
I think I'll go for the Fat Blasting Dance dvd, next. I'm not sure how it works, but I'm hoping that while I'm shaking my booty, fat will be blasting off of me. It may take some extra effort to clean up the room afterwards, but it'll be worth it. :)
I'm off to work those abs and arms.

Have a splendid day!

Hope the weather is good in your neighborhood, so you can get out for a bit of a walk.

Carrots

My Square Granny: Day 5

Oh Poop!!! I am a failure, I have failed you, dear readers. :( I said I would finish this project this week, the reason (because I already have U.F.O.'s all over my house). And yet, here it is...Friday and I'm not finished. "Sigh" I am working on it, although I must say the week did not go as planned and time did not allow for me to work on it as much as I'd hoped. (This is the story of my life, how about you?) If you'll bear with me, I will work furiously over the weekend and have a finished project come Monday. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....

Again, Thanks for your patience and I will try not to disappoint.

Note to self: Don't make pie crust promises: easily made, easily broken.

My Square Granny: day 4

Okay, I realize I skipped day 3. It was truly unintentional, but my camera would not load the pictures and out of frustration, I gave up. Turns out, my daughter had the actual cord that plugs into the camera, while I was using....I don't know what cord.
Success, I have successfully loaded a picture of my Square Granny....don't get too excited I'm not finished, but you can see what I'm doing. I made 18 squares and I'm putting them together in to two, 9 square blocks, like the picture. You can make all of your squares the same, or alternate them (like I did) or make a bunch of groovy, random ones, using up every scrap of yarn you may have. Today's goal, start on the next step....
Btw, these 3 balls of yarn were sitting atop my yarn stash, and I immediately thought of summer and 4th of July, the colors truly look better in person, but you get the idea.

Thanks for your patience! :)

My Square Granny: day 2

My square granny project is coming along. I manage to get quite a few together yesterday afternoon. If you'd like to join me and you have faith that it'll turn out, you will need 18 granny squares, about the size of the palm of your hand. I will take a picture today for tomorrow's post. I need to weave in the loose ends and stitch them together. I am winging it, so hopefully the project will turn out the way I'm seeing it in my head! :) If so, I may attempt to write a pattern for it.
What projects are you working on?

Carrots <3

A Square Granny

My Daily Groove:

This past weekend I visited one of my most favorite people in the world. We mostly sat around and knit, but she also taught me a new skill...crocheting granny squares. I am really excited about this, because the only thing I've ever known how to crochet is a chain. I'm looking forward to all of the new craft possibilities, although I really don't need a new hobby or for that matter, more unfinished projects all over my house. So, I am going to make and finish this new project this week. I started some squares last night and while looking at them, came up with a fun idea for them, considering I don't think I have enough of that yarn for an entire afghan. I will keep you posted and put some pics up of my project. Like I said, I hope to complete it and use it this week. Now I'm committed! Yikes!! :P